Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

Here are our videos on the redbud and on pollinators attracted to the redbud.

This is a worldwide tree that somewhere in Earth’s history, was divided geographically as continents broke apart. Nowadays, there are 10 distinct species of Redbuds scattered throughout Eurasia and North America. Our native Redbuds range from northern Mexico up to the northerly range limit of southern Ontario. What is interesting is their adaptation in size, water consumption, and waxiness of leaves throughout their natural range in response to temperature and availability of water.

There are 3 distinct varieties of native Redbuds where the variety, Canadensis, is the largest, requires the most water, and has the largest and least waxy leaves. As you travel south the variety, Texensis, dominates the North American landscape where its’ overall size and leaves are smaller. Also, the foliage is waxier in response to higher temperatures and lack of water. The final variety is Mexican Redbud, variety Mexicana, which is much shorter and more shrubby.

Though this tree has a very wide distribution throughout North America, it is listed as uncommon for Canada. Typically you would find wild Redbuds in open woodlands, streamsides, woodland edges, and savannahs. They love rich, moist soils but will tolerate a variety of soils, even clay soils. They will grow in very dry sites and, in fact, are quite drought tolerant. Of importance is the drainage of the site. Avoid poorly drained areas.

What drew my attention to this little tree was that it is Black Walnut resistant and listed as one of the top 10 trees for pollinators in southern Ontario. Redbuds are a mass of delicate, pink flowers in April and May. Though they produce good quantities of pollen and nectar, it is the blooming time that is crucial to our pollinators. In the very early spring, emergent pollinators are starving after a long, cold winter’s hibernation. This tree is very important for early season nectar-seeking butterflies. Overall, the Redbud is listed as, “special value to native and bumblebees and provides nesting material for native bees.”

I love how this tree blooms. It is like a cherry tree on steroids. Actually, its’ style of blooming mimics flowering associated with tropical trees. The process is called Cauliflorous which literally means, “stem flowering”. Flowers appear before leaves open and are situated on axils, leaves, and along branches and the trunk. The best blooming performance, and therefore, best yields for native pollinators is when trees are in full sun.

Give this medium growth rate tree space so it can dominate an area with its arching branches. Typically, these trees can attain heights of 10 – 20 feet and widths of 10 – 15 feet. An added bonus, Redbuds are generally pest-free.

Redbuds provide winter fruit in the shape of a pea shaped pod that has some wildlife value. Bobwhites, quails, pheasants, and a few songbirds such as chickadees, goldfinches, cardinals, and rose breasted grosbeaks eat the seeds from these pea pods.

And yet another fun twist with this tree. It is part of the pea family and produces the typical pea pods. The pea family is known for being able to fix nitrogen into the soil through symbiotic root relationships with nitrogen fixing bacteria. But the Redbud cannot fix nitrogen.

The nursery trade has many interesting names for this tree including Judas tree. The origins of this name are according to myth where Judas hung himself on the redbuds’ cousin in western Asia after betraying Jesus. It is said that the Asian redbud’s flowers changed color from the typical white to red with Judas’ shame and blood.